While we wait
take this test! is it accurate?
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
The Gamification Olympics
Level Up Your Classroom
Level Up Your Classroom
PRESS START
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
You Think It's A Game?You Think It's a F@#*%^! Game?
Earl Simmons AKA DMX
Who Dis?
Emporia State University ‘07BSEd in Speech/Theater and Social Sciences Topeka High School 2008-2024 Director of Speech and Debate Taught Every Social Studies Class but Psychology Southern New Hampshire University ‘24 MA in Public History Liberty Memorial Central Middle School 2024-2025 Social Studies 6-7, Intro to AVID, Electronic Media, Game Design Lawrence High, 2025-Present Academic Interventionist!
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
Help Make My Admin like me!
If you are willing to take a picture of me looking particurlarly insightful, or studious, can you grab one and slide into my dms?
+ IG
+ Twitter
+ Linkedin
Sign Up on my Website!
I promise to not spam you! Yesterday I anounced an eBook I'll be releasing post-conference for FREE! I want to share it with you!
+ INFO
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
Level select
Level 1: research about play and games + Blog Beef
Level 2: why gamification is good
Level 3: Creating games from low tech to high-er prep
Play in the Classroom and your life!
Fun is the future!
Do Any Of You Use?
+INFO
+INFO
+INFO
+INFO
+INFO
+INFO
People are curious and want to play!
Play can be behavior correcting
What is a game?
+Definition 1
+Definition 2
+Definition 3
Together these disparate elements combine to make an event that is larger than the individual elements. A player gets caught up in playing a game because the instant feedback and constant interaction are related to the challenge of the game, which is defined by the rules, which all work within the system to provoke an emotional reaction and, finally, result in a quantifiable outcome within an abstract version of a larger system.
Kapp, 2012
The play/learning dichotomy trivializes play as an activity for recess only, or a reward for when the “real work” of learning is done (Whitebread et al., 2012). When we dichotomize play and learning (or play and work) we negate the view that play itself is educational and children can learn through play (Wing, 1995; Nilsson et al., 2018). This severely curtails its potential as an effective classroom-based pedagogy.
Parker, Thomsen, and Berry, 2022
How I feel
What TCEA Said....
Game based vs gamified learning
Different Paths to Increase Play!
Game Logic = 21st century thinking skills
Games: By the Numbers
50%
76%
83%
Go More In-Depth on GBL!
Define
What is Game-Based Learning?
Watch
Jane McGonigal discuss the psychology of it all!
So What is Gamification....
Define:
Gamification Expert Yu Kai Chou
Explore
Karl Kapp's definition
Buy
Kapp's Book is Excellent!
Gamification, done with intention, is a perfect vessel to augment many pedagogical tools. It allows teachers, students, and administrators to have what I call an “educational mashup.” Gamification and game-based learning have the power to amplify what happens in your class.
Michael Matera,eXPlore like a pirate, 2015
This Book is Awesome!
One of the collest books from Dave Burgess' "Like a Pirate" Series. Even if you hate pedagogy books, this is good!
+Buy!
The idea was simple—he came up with ten words that gave students the tools to be successful, not only in school but in life. He identified a list of ten qualities highly successful people have in common—confidence, creativity, enthusiasm, effort, focus, resilience, initiative, curiosity, dependability, and empathy.
Matera, on Purpose Driven Learning...2015.
3A
Games with Low Prep/ Entry Point
These are already made for you!or have templates galore!
Example: Gamifying Music!
Ok...hear me out...you can create playlists...and vote on them!
- Gamify Discussion of music by era
- create discussions of cultural music
- so many possibilities
+Play Now!
Example: Music League
This is a simple way to "gameshow" your content from a simple points perspective, but... you can:
- Add Everlasting acommodations
- Mastery Peak FTW
- make any assignment interactive
+Play Now!
EX:Quizlet Live Relay Race
EX:Quizlet Quarterbacking
Thinking Smarter, Not Harder!
I think I stole these images from Matt Miller
Example: The Fiscal Ship
This game is a real time budget simulator. the goal is to reduce the debt to current levels and fund your policy priorities by 2048!
+Play Now!
Example:iCivics
Games, videos, DBQuests and more! It's now leveled for elementary, Middle, and high school students! You could also do a full olympics here!
+Play Now!
Example: Mission US
Mission US is an award-winning series of free online These games immerse them in key moments of U.S. history. Players take on the roles of young characters facing historical challenges, making choices that shape outcomes and build empathy for ordinary people in the past.
+Play Now!
3B
Games with Medium Prep
You've got to do a little bit of the heavy lifting to get started
Example: Fantasy Vocab-ball
This has been an absolute trip. what if you built a class (or course)-wide fantasy leage for football? Check out these rules!
+Play Now!
Example: Alice keeler's Badge Game
I thought I was insanely good with creating google sheets, and then I discovered the work that Alice keeler does, and I feel like a chump!This is my favorite!
+Play Now!
Example: The Fiscal Ship
This game is a real time budget simulator. the goal is to reduce the debt to current levels and fund your policy priorities by 2048!
+Play Now!
Games with High(er) Prep
3C
More work = more payoff!
What is Genially?
Genially is a no-code platform for creating interactive presentations, infographics, quizzes, and gamified content.
Create an Account!1
Escape Rooms: Genially
If you want to move beyond hidden images in a canva/adobe image or a layered google form, holy crap can you do amazing things in genially with escape rooms!
+Play Now!
Example: Genially Quizzes (Also Escape-y)
Here's one from my behavioral economics unit!
+Play Now!
Example: Genially Branching scen.
What if you started something as simple as the monte hall problem, and build to more complex branches?
+Simple-MHP
+New Branch!
Example:Whole Freaking Games
+Play Now!
© 2026 Wild World of Rimmey PRESENTATION
THANKS
50%
The Percentage of organizations which gamified work. (Gartner Group, 2011)
So we are preparing them for the future!
One of the best minds!
+INFO
Gamification is design that places most Emphasis on the human motivation in the process. In Essence it is Human Focused design.
Yu Kai chou
83%
The Percentage of workers in a gamified setting who say they're more motivate to work. (Talent LMS, 2019)
So why can't we treat education like real world preparation for future work?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat, duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit.
One of the Best Texts
"Karl has written the definitive guide to gamification, which itself is accessible and engaging. He brings trends to life and illustrates the principles of gamification through numerous examples from real-world games.... "-Kevin Kruse, Foreward
+Read More!
Game Based Learning
Game-based learning brings the strategies, rules and social experiences of playing a game into the classroom. The game-based learning model allows teachers to target certain activities that will benefit the real-world application of concepts. This can lead to more immersive and collaborative learning opportunities. Grand Canyon University, 2021
+Read More!
The gamification of learning is an educational approach that seeks to motivate students by using video game design and game elements in learning environments.
Karl Kapp, Gamification of Learning, 2012
StaggeringStatistics
76%
The percentage of children who actively play video games (Entertainment Software ASSN, 2021)
Which is why a shift is necessary!
This is a great article but...
Claim: "turning every activity into a competition can cause anxiety for some students and shift attention from thinking to winning. Overuse of game shows and leaderboards can also eat into your instructional time.
My Response:
- Do all games have to be competitive?
- Is this an indict of all games or is it bad design?
- Not all games are leaderboard and "winning" based.
Gamification Olympics-TCEA 2026
Dustin Rimmey
Created on February 2, 2026
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Transcript
While we wait
take this test! is it accurate?
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
The Gamification Olympics
Level Up Your Classroom
Level Up Your Classroom
PRESS START
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
You Think It's A Game?You Think It's a F@#*%^! Game?
Earl Simmons AKA DMX
Who Dis?
Emporia State University ‘07BSEd in Speech/Theater and Social Sciences Topeka High School 2008-2024 Director of Speech and Debate Taught Every Social Studies Class but Psychology Southern New Hampshire University ‘24 MA in Public History Liberty Memorial Central Middle School 2024-2025 Social Studies 6-7, Intro to AVID, Electronic Media, Game Design Lawrence High, 2025-Present Academic Interventionist!
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
Help Make My Admin like me!
If you are willing to take a picture of me looking particurlarly insightful, or studious, can you grab one and slide into my dms?
+ IG
+ Twitter
+ Linkedin
Sign Up on my Website!
I promise to not spam you! Yesterday I anounced an eBook I'll be releasing post-conference for FREE! I want to share it with you!
+ INFO
Get the slides & more at: https://linktr.ee/teachersplAIground
Level select
Level 1: research about play and games + Blog Beef
Level 2: why gamification is good
Level 3: Creating games from low tech to high-er prep
Play in the Classroom and your life!
Fun is the future!
Do Any Of You Use?
+INFO
+INFO
+INFO
+INFO
+INFO
+INFO
People are curious and want to play!
Play can be behavior correcting
What is a game?
+Definition 1
+Definition 2
+Definition 3
Together these disparate elements combine to make an event that is larger than the individual elements. A player gets caught up in playing a game because the instant feedback and constant interaction are related to the challenge of the game, which is defined by the rules, which all work within the system to provoke an emotional reaction and, finally, result in a quantifiable outcome within an abstract version of a larger system.
Kapp, 2012
The play/learning dichotomy trivializes play as an activity for recess only, or a reward for when the “real work” of learning is done (Whitebread et al., 2012). When we dichotomize play and learning (or play and work) we negate the view that play itself is educational and children can learn through play (Wing, 1995; Nilsson et al., 2018). This severely curtails its potential as an effective classroom-based pedagogy.
Parker, Thomsen, and Berry, 2022
How I feel
What TCEA Said....
Game based vs gamified learning
Different Paths to Increase Play!
Game Logic = 21st century thinking skills
Games: By the Numbers
50%
76%
83%
Go More In-Depth on GBL!
Define
What is Game-Based Learning?
Watch
Jane McGonigal discuss the psychology of it all!
So What is Gamification....
Define:
Gamification Expert Yu Kai Chou
Explore
Karl Kapp's definition
Buy
Kapp's Book is Excellent!
Gamification, done with intention, is a perfect vessel to augment many pedagogical tools. It allows teachers, students, and administrators to have what I call an “educational mashup.” Gamification and game-based learning have the power to amplify what happens in your class.
Michael Matera,eXPlore like a pirate, 2015
This Book is Awesome!
One of the collest books from Dave Burgess' "Like a Pirate" Series. Even if you hate pedagogy books, this is good!
+Buy!
The idea was simple—he came up with ten words that gave students the tools to be successful, not only in school but in life. He identified a list of ten qualities highly successful people have in common—confidence, creativity, enthusiasm, effort, focus, resilience, initiative, curiosity, dependability, and empathy.
Matera, on Purpose Driven Learning...2015.
3A
Games with Low Prep/ Entry Point
These are already made for you!or have templates galore!
Example: Gamifying Music!
Ok...hear me out...you can create playlists...and vote on them!
+Play Now!
Example: Music League
This is a simple way to "gameshow" your content from a simple points perspective, but... you can:
+Play Now!
EX:Quizlet Live Relay Race
EX:Quizlet Quarterbacking
Thinking Smarter, Not Harder!
I think I stole these images from Matt Miller
Example: The Fiscal Ship
This game is a real time budget simulator. the goal is to reduce the debt to current levels and fund your policy priorities by 2048!
+Play Now!
Example:iCivics
Games, videos, DBQuests and more! It's now leveled for elementary, Middle, and high school students! You could also do a full olympics here!
+Play Now!
Example: Mission US
Mission US is an award-winning series of free online These games immerse them in key moments of U.S. history. Players take on the roles of young characters facing historical challenges, making choices that shape outcomes and build empathy for ordinary people in the past.
+Play Now!
3B
Games with Medium Prep
You've got to do a little bit of the heavy lifting to get started
Example: Fantasy Vocab-ball
This has been an absolute trip. what if you built a class (or course)-wide fantasy leage for football? Check out these rules!
+Play Now!
Example: Alice keeler's Badge Game
I thought I was insanely good with creating google sheets, and then I discovered the work that Alice keeler does, and I feel like a chump!This is my favorite!
+Play Now!
Example: The Fiscal Ship
This game is a real time budget simulator. the goal is to reduce the debt to current levels and fund your policy priorities by 2048!
+Play Now!
Games with High(er) Prep
3C
More work = more payoff!
What is Genially?
Genially is a no-code platform for creating interactive presentations, infographics, quizzes, and gamified content.
Create an Account!1
Escape Rooms: Genially
If you want to move beyond hidden images in a canva/adobe image or a layered google form, holy crap can you do amazing things in genially with escape rooms!
+Play Now!
Example: Genially Quizzes (Also Escape-y)
Here's one from my behavioral economics unit!
+Play Now!
Example: Genially Branching scen.
What if you started something as simple as the monte hall problem, and build to more complex branches?
+Simple-MHP
+New Branch!
Example:Whole Freaking Games
+Play Now!
© 2026 Wild World of Rimmey PRESENTATION
THANKS
50%
The Percentage of organizations which gamified work. (Gartner Group, 2011)
So we are preparing them for the future!
One of the best minds!
+INFO
Gamification is design that places most Emphasis on the human motivation in the process. In Essence it is Human Focused design.
Yu Kai chou
83%
The Percentage of workers in a gamified setting who say they're more motivate to work. (Talent LMS, 2019)
So why can't we treat education like real world preparation for future work?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat, duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit.
One of the Best Texts
"Karl has written the definitive guide to gamification, which itself is accessible and engaging. He brings trends to life and illustrates the principles of gamification through numerous examples from real-world games.... "-Kevin Kruse, Foreward
+Read More!
Game Based Learning
Game-based learning brings the strategies, rules and social experiences of playing a game into the classroom. The game-based learning model allows teachers to target certain activities that will benefit the real-world application of concepts. This can lead to more immersive and collaborative learning opportunities. Grand Canyon University, 2021
+Read More!
The gamification of learning is an educational approach that seeks to motivate students by using video game design and game elements in learning environments.
Karl Kapp, Gamification of Learning, 2012
StaggeringStatistics
76%
The percentage of children who actively play video games (Entertainment Software ASSN, 2021)
Which is why a shift is necessary!
This is a great article but...
Claim: "turning every activity into a competition can cause anxiety for some students and shift attention from thinking to winning. Overuse of game shows and leaderboards can also eat into your instructional time.
My Response: